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The Teahouse at Stanley Park Conservatory

The project that took BC Greenhouse Builders to the next level

About the Project

Retired owner, Henry Heinen, stopped by the offices recently to reflect on projects that made BCG what it is today.

Henry recalled The Teahouse at Stanley Park, in Vancouver, changed everything for BC Greenhouse Builders. Since 1951, the company had been dedicated to building strong, backyard hobby greenhouses for private residences. Then, in 1978, the new owner of the Teahouse approached Henry to ask if he could build a conservatory for their dining area.

A former garrison and officer's mess during World War II, Vancouver's Teahouse in Stanley Park is steeped in our city's history. Post-war, the house served as a military residence, later opening as the Ferguson Point Tea Room during the summer.

The restaurant was owned by Hungarian couple Steve and Eva Floris who escaped Soviet-occupied Hungary after surviving the Holocaust. They emigrated to Vancouver in 1949, and obtained a lease from the Vancouver Park Board to operate then-names Art Gallery Tea Room in Stanley Park. Steve and Eva sold the restaurant in 1964 and went into real estate.

The house fell into a state of disrepair in the '70s, later renovates and reopened in 1978 as the Teahouse Restaurant."

-Excerpt from Vancouver Scape

The Conservatory is a classic custom birdcage design. A custom shade system and adjustable transom windows also helps to maintain comfortable temperatures. The space is often used for special events. If you are lucky enough to live in British Columbia, it's likely you have been to the Teahouse for a wedding or another on of life's celebrations.

The Teahouse project led to other commercial greenhouse projects for local nurseries, university grounds and eventually led to the Meridian Estate Greenhouse line which includes luxury greenhouses and conservatories.

Henry mentions that the same owner is still there and they always give him the best seat by the windows overlooking at the Pacific ocean.  He chuckles and says that his only regret is that he didn't negotiate a lifetime meal plan back when the Teahouse conservatory opened in 1980.

To learn more or visit The Teahouse at Stanley Park, go to https://www.vancouverdine.com/teahouse/

Photos courtesy of @jlamk and The Teahouse.  All rights reserved.